Stand.earth, CAPE, and Say No to LNG react to BC Ferries building its fleet with all-electric ready ships

Unceded Coast Salish Territories (VANCOUVER, BC) –  Environmental organizations have responded to BC Ferries’ announcement – which did not mention Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) –  and CEO Nicholas Jimenez’s statement that the first five of seven new vessels will run as diesel electric hybrids and be “all-electric ready”:

“We applaud BC Ferries’ announcement excluding the use of LNG for their major vessels program. Fracked Ferries are not a climate solution.” said Anna Barford, shipping campaigner with Stand.earth. “Climate disruption is already impacting B.C. with increasing wildfires, droughts, and heat waves. A truly future-proof ferry system will see the removal entirely of fracked gas and all methane fuels, and Stand.earth will be watching to make sure that BC Ferries turns words into actions.”

“BC Ferries’ decision to transition to all-electric-ready vessels is a breath of fresh air for our coastal communities and marine ecosystems. As a physician, I’m heartened to see this step away from fossil fuels like LNG, which contributes significantly to climate change and air pollution – two of the greatest health threats of our time. I urge BC Ferries to continue on this path of innovation and sustainability, and for other sectors to follow,” said Dr. Melissa Lem, a family physician and president of the Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment.

“This is what leadership looks like in transitioning the marine sector away from a haunted LNG future. Focusing on sustainable battery technology, and continuing to invest in efficiency to reduce fuel demand are what’s needed right now. Choosing LNG and other methane-based fuels, such as bio-methane and e-methane, continue to lock in fossil fuels for decades and prevent investment in a truly zero emission sector and economy. BC Ferries should be congratulated for turning their back on LNG and setting course for a more sustainable future. We encourage BC Ferries to sign our Beyond Methane Pledge to publicly and permanently commit to being LNG-free’, said Andrew Dumbrille, Say No to LNG, Canadian Campaigner.

The BC Ferries Commissioner has indicated that a public comment period is coming with regard to this investment. Stand.earth has gathered over 20,000 signatures to call on BC Ferries and the Minister of Transport to move beyond the use of LNG and fracked gas. CAPE has been calling for an end to investments in LNG and fracking because of health concerns including billboards directed at BC Ferries’ use of LNG.This news from BC Ferries is a step forward and now it is up to the governments of Canada and British Columbia to support shore-side infrastructure for charging.

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Media contact:

Arin de Hoog, Communications Specialist, Oil, Gas and Shipping – Stand.earth.

+1 (613) 978-7329 (ET), arin.dehoog@stand.earth

Reykia Fick, Communications Director, Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment (CAPE)

647-762-9168, media@cape.ca

Rachel Wang, Global Communications, Say No to LNG
media@saynotolng.org